RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN MAINLAND CHINA IN THE 1990S

Despite several decades of religious suppression by the Chinese Commun ist Party (CCP), religions have experienced a phenomenal growth in mai nland China especially since the mid-1980s. Currently, various forms o f religions, particularly the traditional folk religions, can be seen all over mainland China; the coastal provinces such as Fukien (Fujian) and Chekiang (Zhejiang) seem to enjoy the fastest growth. This reappe arance of religlions becomes a major social force increasingly catchin g the attention of both the Communist government and the academics. Fo cusing on Fukien and Chekiang provinces, this paper suggests a new par adigm to look at religion in Chinese society, traces the historical de velopment of several major religions from the beginning of this centur y till recent times, summarizes the current status of these major reli gions, and analyzes the social and political impacts of these religion s on mainland Chinese society.